Corporate Governance

New York — Reebok has leased an 11,600-sq.-ft. space at 1 Union Square West in Manhattan for a combination Reebok Fit Hub store and Reebok Cross-fit gym. Slated to open in the spring of 2014, the location will house the bran’s Manhattan flagship store and the largest Reebok Fit Hub in the chain.

A two-year product development process has come to an end at Bauer Hockey where the company has introduced a new line of equipment, including a futuristic full body suit, made of ultra light materials to be worn by the world’s best players in February.

Whirlpool is reaffirming its commitment to its U.S. manufacturing base by moving production of its commercial front-load washing machines from Monterrey, Mexico, to Clyde, Ohio.

Approximately 80-100 new jobs will be created in Clyde during the next three years to support this manufacturing relocation. The company expects the relocation to increase its operational efficiencies and align with its strategy of building products in the regions where they are primarily sold. Production of the font-load commercial washer platform is due to begin in the U.S. April 2014.

Retail Cloud Technologies is the name of a new retail software solutions company created by Dallas entrepreneur Chad Willis and software developer Michael Mauerer.

The Jones Group has accepted a buyout offer of $15 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $1.2 billion, from private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Upon completion of the deal, Jones, whose brands include Nine West, Anne Klein and Easy Spirit, will become a privately held company.

Big data discovery and data sharing firm 1010data, Inc., named former Oracle exec Richard Michalec as its AVP of retail strategy and strategic accounts.

Against the backdrop of the most digital Christmas ever a new study from technology research firm EKN shows that most retailers don’t believe they are spending enough on the Internet, mobile, business intelligence and analytics.
 
EKN, with sponsorship from Cisco, Earthlink and Tata Consultancy Services, surveyed more than 120 retail information technology executives and uncovered some disturbing findings given the direction in which consumers are leading the retail industry.

RadioShack has opened its newest Manhattan location as a popup concept store at Penn Station. The limited-time-only location is the third RadioShack popup store to open in Manhattan.
 
In addition, RadioShack has opened a total of eight concept stores in the Manhattan area. The newest popup opened five days after construction began.

Strong third-quarter sales at footwear retailer Finish Line and elevated expectations for the full-year were attributed to the company’s approach to integrated commerce.

Sales for the third quarter ended November 30 increased 22.9% to $364.5 million and same store sales advanced 7.1%. Profits increased to $2.3 million from a prior year loss of $107,000 at the operator 658 athletic footwear stores and 198 branded footwear departments at Macy’s.

New York -- Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it has partnered with restaurateurs Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson to launch a fast-casual pizza concept called Pizzeria Locale.

The format debuted in Denver, and is based on a full-service pizzeria by the same name located in Boulder, Colo. The company is exploring options for second and third locations in Denver, according to the Denver Post.